 | |
| Founded | 2004; 20 years ago (2004) |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Chinese Super League |
| Relegation to | China League Two |
| Domestic cup(s) | Chinese FA Cup |
| Current champions | Yunnan Yukun (1st title) (2024) |
| Most championships | Dalian Pro Guangzhou Henan (2 titles each) |
| TV partners | PPTV, Dongqiudi ((live streaming) |
| Website | www |
| Current: 2024 China League One | |
The Chinese Football Association League 1 (Chinese: 中国足球协会甲级联赛; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zúqiú Xiéhuì Jiǎjí Liánsài), also known as China League One or Chinese Jia League (Chinese: 中甲联赛), is the second level of professional football in China, under the Chinese Super League.
Prior to the formation of the Chinese Super League, Jia League was known as Jia B League. The then top two levels of Chinese football league were known as Jia A League and Jia B League respectively. Jia A was rebranded as CSL and Jia B was rebranded as the current Jia League in 2004. Below the Jia League is the Yi League, following the Chinese Heavenly Stems naming convention of numbers.
It is currently made up of 16 teams, playing each other home and away once. At the end of each season, the top two teams are promoted to the CSL and the two lowest placed teams from the CSL are relegated to China League Two. The top two teams from China League Two are promoted and replace the two lowest placed teams from China League One.
Current clubs
| Club | Home City | Stadium | Capacity | Seasons in League One | Best finish | Worst finish | Spell in level 2 | Head coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club name | Name in Chinese | ||||||||
| Chongqing Tongliang Long | 重庆铜梁龙 | Chongqing | Tongliang Long Stadium | 20,000 | 2024 to 2025 | from 2024 |  Yu Yuanwei
| ||
| Dalian K'un City | 大连鲲城足球俱乐部 | Dalian | Jinzhou Stadium | 30,776 | 2025 | from 2025 | Zhao Faqing
| ||
| Foshan Nanshi | 佛山南狮 | Foshan | Nanhai Sports Center | 20,000 | 2023 to 2025 | 7th, 2023 | 7th, 2023 | from 2023 | Zhou Chenhan
|
| Guangdong GZ-Power | 广东广州豹足球俱乐部 | Guangzhou | Huangpu Sports Center | 12,000 | 2025 | from 2025 | Li Bing
| ||
| Guangxi Pingguo Haliao | 广西平果哈嘹 | Pingguo | Pingguo Stadium | 30,000 | 2022 to 2025 | 4th, 2023 | 11th, 2022 | from 2022 |  André Gaspar
|
| Guangzhou | 广州 | Guangzhou | Huadu Stadium | 13,394 | 2004 to 2007, 2010, 2023 to 2025 | 1st, 2007, 2010 | 12th, 2023 | from 2023 |  Salvador Suay
|
| Heilongjiang Ice City | 黑龙江冰城 | Harbin | Harbin ICE Center Stadium | 48,000 | 2018 to 2025 | 4th, 2019 | 15th, 2020 | from 2018 | Duan Xin
|
| Liaoning Tieren | 辽宁铁人 | Shenyang | Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium | 60,000 | 2020 to 2025 | 10th, 2023 | 16th, 2021 | from 2020 | Li Jinyu
|
| Meizhou Hakka | 梅州客家足球俱乐部 | Meizhou | Wuhua County Olympic Sports Centre | 27,000 | 2025 | from 2025 |  Milan Ristić
| ||
| Nanjing City | 南京城市 | Nanjing | Wutaishan Stadium | 22,000 | 2021 to 2025 | 5th, 2023 | 10th, 2021, 2022 | from 2021 | Zhang Xiaofeng
|
| Nantong Zhiyun | 南通支云 | Rugao | Rugao Olympic Sports Center | 25,000 | 2025 | from 2025 |  David Patrício
| ||
| Qingdao Red Lions | 青岛红狮 | Qingdao | Qingdao Tiantai Stadium | 20,525 | 2024 to 2025 | Ma Yongkang
| |||
| Shanghai Jiading Huilong | 上海嘉定汇龙 | Shanghai | Jiading Stadium | 9,704 | 2022 to 2025 | 11th, 2023 | 13th, 2022 | from 2022 | Yang Lin
|
| Shijiazhuang Gongfu | 石家庄功夫 | Shijiazhuang | Yutong International Sports Center | 38,000 | 2022 to 2025 | 3rd, 2023 | 4th, 2022 | from 2022 | Liu Cheng (caretaker)
|
| Suzhou Dongwu | 苏州东吴 | Suzhou | Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre | 40,933 | 2020 to 2025 | 6th, 2022 | 14th, 2023 | from 2020 |  Kim Dae-eui
|
| Yanbian Longding | 延边龙鼎 | Yanji | Yanji Stadium | 30,000 | 2023 to 2025 | 8th, 2023 | 8th, 2023 | from 2023 | Lee Ki-hyung
|
Clubs Locations
Chongqing TonglianglongDalian K'un City
Pearl River DeltaGuangxi Pingguo HaliaoHeilongjiang Ice CityLiaoning TierenMeizhou HakkaNanjing CityNantong ZhiyunQingdao Red LionsShanghai Jiading HuilongShijiazhuang GongfuSuzhou DongwuYanbian Longding
Pearl River Delta teams:Foshan Nanshi
Guangdong GZ-Power
Guangzhou
class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2025 China League One teams
Former clubs
| Club | Home City | Stadium | Capacity | Seasons in League One | Best finish | Worst finish | Current league | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinyin name | Chinese name | |||||||
| Sichuan F.C. | 四川足球俱乐部 | Chengdu | Dujiangyan Phoenix Stadium | 12,700 | 2008 to 2009 | 5th, 2008 | 13th, 2009 | Inactive |
| Xi'an Anxinyuan | 西安安馨园 | Xi'an | 2004 | 17th, 2004 | Inactive | |||
| Jinan Xingzhou | 济南兴洲 | Jinan | Zaozhuang Sports and Cultural Centre Stadium | 31,284 | 2023 | 6th, 2023 | Defunct | |
| Zibo Cuju | 淄博蹴鞠 | Zibo | Zibo Sports Center Stadium | 45,000 | 2021 to 2022 | 11th, 2021 | 15th, 2022 | Defunct |
| Kunshan F.C. | 昆山足球俱乐部 | Kunshan | Kunshan Stadium | 30,000 | 2020 to 2022 | 1st, 2022 | 9th, 2021 | Defunct |
| Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic | 陕西长安竞技 | Xi'an | Shaanxi Province Stadium | 42,383 | 2019 to 2022 | 5th, 2022 | 11th, 2020 | Defunct |
| Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 新疆天山雪豹 | Ürümqi | Xinjiang Sports Centre | 42,300 | 2013 to 2022 | 8th, 2015 | 18th, 2020, 2021 | Defunct |
| Beijing BSU | 北京北体大 | Beijing | Olympic Sports Centre (Beijing) | 36,228 | 2010 to 2022 | 4th, 2014, 2015 | 16th, 2022 | Defunct |
| Guizhou F.C. | 贵州足球俱乐部 | Guiyang | Guiyang Olympic Sports Center | 51,636 | 2011, 2013, 2015 to 2016, 2019 to 2021 | 2nd, 2016 | 16th, 2013 | Defunct |
| Taizhou Yuanda | 泰州远大 | Taizhou | Taixing Sports Center | 8,000 | 2020 | 6th, 2020 | Defunct | |
| Beijing Renhe | 北京人和 | Fengtai | Beijing Fengtai Stadium | 31,043 | 2016 to 2017, 2020 | 2nd, 2017 | 4th, 2016 | Defunct |
| Inner Mongolia Zhongyou | 内蒙古中优 | Hohhot | Hohhot City Stadium | 51,632 | 2015 to 2020 | 6th, 2015 | 13th, 2018 | Defunct |
| Sichuan Longfor | 四川隆发 | Dujiangyan | Dujiangyan Phoenix Stadium | 12,700 | 2019 | 14th, 2019 | Defunct | |
| Qingdao Huanghai | 青岛黄海 | Qingdao | Conson Stadium | 45,000 | 2014 to 2019 | 1st, 2019 | 12th, 2014 | Defunct |
| Liaoning F.C. | 辽宁足球俱乐部 | Shenyang | Tiexi New District Sports Center | 30,000 | 2009, 2018 to 2019 | 1st, 2009 | 15th, 2019 | Defunct |
| Shanghai Shenxin | 上海申鑫 | Jinshan | Jinshan Football Stadium | 30,000 | 2006 to 2009, 2016 to 2019 | 2nd, 2009 | 16th, 2019 | Defunct |
| Dalian Transcendence | 大连超越 | Dalian | Jinzhou Stadium | 30,776 | 2016 to 2018 | 14th, 2016, 2017 | 15th, 2018 | Defunct |
| Shenzhen F.C. | 深圳足球俱乐部 | Shenzhen | Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre | 60,334 | 2012 to 2018 | 2nd, 2018 | 12th, 2015 | Defunct |
| Wuhan Zall | 武汉卓尔 | Wuhan | Wuhan Five Rings Sports Center | 30,000 | 2010 to 2012, 2014 to 2018 | 1st, 2018 | 10th, 2015 | Defunct |
| Zhejiang Yiteng | 浙江毅腾 | Shaoxing | Shaoxing China Textile City Sports Center | 20,000 | 2007 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, 2015 to 2018 | 2nd, 2013 | 13th, 2008, 2016, 2017 | Defunct |
| Yanbian Funde | 延边富德 | Yanji | Yanji Stadium | 30,000 | 2005 to 2015, 2018 | 1st, 2015 | 16th, 2014 | Defunct |
| Baoding Yingli ETS | 保定英利易通 | Baoding | Hebei University Stadium | 20,000 | 2017 | 15th, 2017 | Defunct | |
| Yunnan Lijiang | 云南丽江 | Lijiang | Lijiang Sports Development Centre Stadium | 20,400 | 2017 | 16th, 2017 | Defunct | |
| Dalian Pro | 大连人 | Dalian | Dalian Barracuda Bay Football Stadium | 63,000 | 2011, 2015 to 2017 | 1st, 2011, 2017 | 5th, 2016 | Defunct |
| Tianjin Quanjian | 天津权健 | Tianjin | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium | 60,000 | 2011 to 2016 | 1st, 2016 | 12th, 2011 | Defunct |
| Hebei China Fortune | 河北华夏幸福 | Langfang | Langfang Stadium | 30,040 | 2014 to 2015 | 2nd, 2015 | 14th, 2014 | Defunct |
| Shenyang Zhongze | 沈阳中泽 | Shenyang | Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium | 60,000 | 2011 to 2014 | 6th, 2011, 2013 | 12th, 2012 | Defunct |
| Guangdong Sunray Cave | 广东日之泉 | Xi'an | Huangpu Sports Center | 12,000 | 2009 to 2014 | 3rd, 2011, 2013 | 13th, 2014 | Defunct |
| Chongqing Lifan | 重庆力帆 | Chongqing | Chongqing Olympic Sports Center | 58,680 | 2007 to 2008, 2011 to 2014 | 1st, 2014 | 8th, 2011 | Defunct |
| Chengdu Tiancheng | 成都天诚 | Chengdu | Shuangliu Sports Center | 26,000 | 2004 to 2007, 2010, 2012 to 2014 | 2nd, 2007, 2010 | 15th, 2014 | Defunct |
| Chongqing F.C. | 重庆足球俱乐部 | Chongqing | Chongqing Olympic Sports Center | 58,680 | 2012 to 2013 | 8th, 2012 | 15th, 2013 | Defunct |
| Hohhot Dongjin | 呼和浩特东进 | Shenyang | Shenyang Urban Construction University Stadium | 12,000 | 2009 to 2012 | 3rd, 2009 | 16th, 2012 | Defunct |
| Guangzhou R&F | 广州富力 | Guangzhou | Yuexiushan Stadium | 18,000 | 2011 | 2nd, 2011 | Defunct | |
| Anhui Jiufang | 安徽九方 | Hefei | Wuhu Olympic Stadium | 40,000 | 2008 to 2010 | 4th, 2008 | 9th, 2010 | Defunct |
| Shanghai Zobon | 上海中邦 | Shanghai | Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium | 16,000 | 2005 to 2010 | 8th, 2007 | 11th, 2008 | Defunct |
| Nanjing Yoyo | 南京有有 | Nanjing | Wutaishan Stadium | 18,000 | 2004 to 2010 | 5th, 2006 | 13th, 2010 | Defunct |
| Beijing Hongdeng | 北京宏登 | Beijing | Shijingshan Stadium | 20,000 | 2006 to 2009 | 9th, 2007 | 12th, 2006, 2008 | Defunct |
| Qingdao Hailifeng | 青岛海利丰 | Qingdao | Conson Stadium | 45,000 | 2004 to 2009 | 6th, 2005 | 11th, 2004 | Defunct |
| Jiangsu Sainty | 江苏舜天 | Nanjing | Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre | 61,443 | 2004 to 2008 | 1st, 2008 | 6th, 2004, 2006 | Defunct |
| Hohhot Black Horse | 呼和浩特黑马 | Hohhot | Hohhot People's Stadium | 30,000 | 2006 to 2007 | 9th, 2006 | 13th, 2007 | Defunct |
| Hunan Shoking | 湖南湘军 | Changsha | Helong Stadium | 55,000 | 2004 to 2006 | 12th, 2005 | 14th, 2004 | Defunct |
| Dalian Changbo | 大连长波 | Dalian | 2004 to 2005 | 13th, 2005 | 15th, 2004 | Defunct | ||
| Xiamen Blue Lions | 厦门蓝狮 | Xiamen | Xiamen People's Stadium | 32,000 | 2004 to 2005 | 1st, 2005 | 3rd, 2004 | Defunct |
| Shenzhen Kejian | 深圳科健 | Shenzhen | 2004 | 10th, 2004 | Defunct | |||
| Ningbo National Power | 宁波国力 | Harbin | Shaanxi Province Stadium | 42,383 | 2004 | 12th, 2004 | Defunct | |
| Dongguan Dongcheng | 东莞东城 | Dongguan | 2004 | 16th, 2004 | Defunct | |||
| Shanghai United | 上海联城 | Shanghai | Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium | 12,000 | 2004 | 2nd, 2004 | Defunct | |
| Wuhan Huanghelou | 武汉黄鹤楼 | Wuhan | Wuhan Sports Center | 54,000 | 2004 | 1st, 2004 | Defunct | |
Winners
Attendance
| Season | Total attendance | Games | Average | No. Of Clubs | Promotion slots | Relegation Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 805,200 | 131 | 6,147 | 12 | 2 | 4 |
| 1996 | 1,306,800 | 132 | 9,900 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1,518,000 | 132 | 11,500 | 12 | 4 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1,808,400 | 132 | 13,700 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2,006,400 | 132 | 15,200 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2,005,500 | 132 | 15,193 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1,814,100 | 132 | 13,743 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1,018,400 | 132 | 7,715 | 12 | - | - |
| 2003 | 1,413,750 | 182 | 7,768 | 14 | - | 1 |
| 2004 | 1,842,900 | 272 | 6,775 | 17 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1,081,900 | 159 | 6,804 | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1,190,787 | 156 | 7,633 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1,046,160 | 144 | 7,265 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 654,200 | 156 | 4,194 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 671,793 | 156 | 4,306 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | 568,000 | 156 | 3,641 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 | 645,038 | 182 | 3,544 | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 2012 | 958,955 | 240 | 3,996 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1,129,912 | 240 | 4,708 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1,280,121 | 240 | 5,334 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2,161,165 | 240 | 9,007 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1,493,919 | 240 | 6,225 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1,857,359 | 240 | 7,739 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1,453,980 | 242 | 6,084 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2,232,305 | 244 | 9,148 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 141 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 306 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 306 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1,330,979 | 240 | 5,545 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
Awards
Top scorers
| Season | Top scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Will
|
Wuhan Huanghelou | 22 |
| 2005 |  Mikalay Ryndzyuk
|
Guangzhou F.C. | 15 |
| 2006 | Tico
|
Zhejiang Green Town | 15 |
| 2007 |  Luis Ramírez
|
Guangzhou Pharmaceutical | 19 |
| 2008 |  Sabin Ilie
|
Qingdao Hailifeng | 18 |
| 2009 |  Martín García
|
Nanchang Bayi Hengyuan | 19 |
| 2010 | Gao Lin
|
Guangzhou Evergrande | 20 |
| 2011 | Mitchel Brown  Johnny Woodly
|
Hunan Billows Dalian Aerbin |
13 |
| 2012 |  Babacar Gueye
|
Shenzhen Ruby | 23 |
| 2013 | Babacar Gueye
|
Shenzhen Ruby | 23 |
| 2014 | Guto
|
Chongqing Lifan | 21 |
| 2015 | Ha Tae-kyun
|
Yanbian Changbaishan | 26 |
| 2016 | Luís Fabiano
|
Tianjin Quanjian | 22 |
| 2017 |  Marcelo Moreno Harold Preciado
|
Wuhan Zall Shenzhen |
23 |
| 2018 |  John Mary
|
Meizhou Hakka | 24 |
| 2019 |  Oscar Maritu
|
Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic | 22 |
| 2020 | Tan Long
|
Changchun Yatai | 11 |
- ^1 Winner of 2017 China League One Golden Boot.
Most valuable player
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Xu Yang
|
Henan Jianye |
| 2014 | Wang Dong
|
Chongqing Lifan |
| 2015 | Ha Tae-kyun
|
Yanbian Changbaishan |
| 2016 | Luís Fabiano
|
Tianjin Quanjian |
| 2017 | Matheus
|
Shijiazhuang Ever Bright |
| 2018 | Ji Xiaoxuan
|
Zhejiang Yiteng |
| 2019 | Tan Long
|
Changchun Yatai |
Best goalkeeper
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Zhou Yajun
|
Henan Jianye |
| 2014 | Wang Guoming
|
Shijiazhuang Yongchang |
| 2015 | Chi Wenyi
|
Yanbian Changbaishan |
| 2016 | Zhang Lu
|
Tianjin Quanjian |
| 2017 | Zhang Lie
|
Beijing Renhe |
| 2018 | Mou Pengfei
|
Heilongjiang Lava Spring |
| 2019 | Xu Jiamin
|
Heilongjiang Lava Spring |
Youth player of the year
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ming Tian
|
Wuhan Zall |
| 2017 | Wang Jinxian
|
Dalian Yifang |
| 2018 | Zhang Hongjiang
|
Meizhou Hakka |
| 2019 | Xu Yue
|
Shanghai Shenxin |
Best coach
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Tang Yaodong
|
Henan Jianye |
| 2014 |  Goran Tomić
|
Beijing Baxy |
| 2015 | Park Tae-ha
|
Yanbian Changbaishan |
| 2016 | Li Bing
|
Guizhou Zhicheng |
| 2017 | Juan Ramón López Caro
|
Dalian Yifang |
| 2018 | Li Tie
|
Wuhan Zall |
| 2019 | Wang Bo
|
Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic |
Reserve league and Elite league
| Season | Reserve Champions | Elite Champions |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Wuhan Zall | Not Held |
| 2015 | Qingdao Jonoon | Not Held |
| 2016 | Beijing Enterprises Group | Not Held |
| 2017 | Wuhan Zall | Dalian Yifang |
| 2018 | Wuhan Zall | Not Held |
| 2019 | Shijiazhuang Yongchang | Not Held |
Sponsors
| Season | Sponsor | Annual Value | Official League Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 58.com | ¥30 million | 58.com Chinese Football Association China League |
| 2016 | ¥30 million | 58.com Chinese Football Association China League | |
| 2017 | ¥35 million | 58.com Chinese Football Association China League | |
| 2018 | ¥50 million | 58.com Chinese Football Association China League |
See also
References
External links
| Football in China | |||||||
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| Chinese Football Association | |||||||
| National teams |
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| League system |
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| Domestic cups |
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| Regional tournaments |
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| International tournaments |
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| Awards | |||||||
| Lists | |||||||
| Second-level football leagues of Asia (AFC) | |
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| Associated members |